District of Columbia driving lesson · Points, Violations & Your Record
Crash duties
A 3-minute lesson from the District of Columbia course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.
If you're involved in a crash, the law gives you specific duties. Leaving, or skipping one of them, is a violation even if the crash wasn't your fault.
Main duties of any driver in a crash:
Stop
Remain as close to the scene as possible until you have aided the injured and identified yourself
If possible, move your car away from the line of traffic
Aid any injured person, in most cases by calling for an ambulance
Identify yourself and provide insurance information
Leave written notice if unattended property is damaged
Identify yourself: give your name, address and the registration information of the vehicle you're driving. Show your driver license to others involved if they ask.
Insurance information means the name and address of your insurance company, the name and address of the local agent or office, and your policy number or other identifying number.
If an unattended vehicle or other property is damaged, try to find the owner. If you can't, leave a written notice with your identifying information in or on it, in a conspicuous and secure place.
If you strike and injure a domestic animal, immediately notify the police department with jurisdiction where the crash happened. The police will contact the proper agency for the animal's care.
You scrape a parked car in a lot at night and nobody is around. First try to find the owner. If you can't, leave a note in a secure, visible place on the car with your name, address, registration and insurance details, and report the crash to your insurer.
Check your understanding
Read the question, decide on an answer, then open it to check the explanation. These are Roadwise study questions based on the source handbook.
Which of these is a listed 'duty' of a driver involved in a crash in DC?
Leave the scene immediately if no one is hurt
Wait for the tow truck before doing anything else
Call only if a vehicle is totaled
Provide your insurance information
Answer: Provide your insurance information
Drivers must stop, aid the injured, identify themselves, and provide insurance information after a crash.